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Thermoplastic sheets are heat-welded at seams; flexible membranes use different adhesives, plates, or seam methods. We check the existing assembly before tying a new material into old work. TPO and PVC systems need sound welds and compatible flashing at corners and penetrations. EPDM repair depends on clean surfaces, compatible materials, and secure transitions. KEE membrane selection also depends on the manufacturer's system details and the roof condition.
Older assemblies may include multiple plies, surfacing, and patches. We verify the layer sequence with records or a test cut where hidden material changes the scope. Modified bitumen and built-up roofing require attention to laps, flashing, surfacing, and drainage. Moisture below a sound-looking cap sheet can still require removal rather than another surface layer.
Standing seam panels move at clips and transitions; retrofit work must account for the existing frame, fastening, and edge. Standing seam metal and metal retrofit assemblies are inspected at seams, penetrations, and perimeter restraints. Spray foam and coatings depend on substrate bond, thickness control, and water shedding. Spray foam and silicone are options only when the surface and details support them; acrylic restoration follows the same substrate checks.
Nearby Detroit normals average about 45 inches of snowfall annually and show broad seasonal temperature changes. For snow-load decisions, use the building’s structural documents and applicable design criteria. Meltwater, freeze-thaw movement, and snow cover make edge, curb, and drain inspection important in winter. The Mound industrial corridor and Lakeside City Center illustrate different building contexts, but the existing roof determines the system choice.
A recover requires dry, attached, compatible material and enough height at drains and perimeters. A replacement may be needed where insulation is wet, the deck is unsound, or the attachment cannot support another layer. Coating cannot correct trapped water or a weak substrate. We document the evidence, define the repair or removal boundary, and leave concealed conditions as allowances until confirmed.
Share the roof plan, prior repairs, leak locations, and access limits. We will inspect the assembly and connect the system choice to a test result or visible condition.
Thermal movement can stress a metal edge where it meets a flexible membrane. We check the termination, counterflashing, fasteners, and substrate together because a sealant bead alone does not show whether the assembly can move as intended. Nearby Detroit winter conditions provide regional context for freeze-thaw planning; the detail on the roof still controls the repair. modified-bitumen details are reviewed against the adjoining system rather than treated as a generic patch.
Drawings can identify a roof build-up, but repairs and later overlays may have changed it. We use records first, then choose a test cut when moisture, attachment, or deck condition remains uncertain. The opening is photographed and closed the same day after the layers are recorded. EPDM assembly checks focus on the installed sheet, seam treatment, and attachment at the area under review.
Only after confirming moisture, attachment, compatibility, and transition height. A field review determines whether recover or removal is appropriate.
No. The wet material and drainage cause must be addressed before a coating is considered.
Their movement and attachment meet at one transition. A repair has to preserve drainage, termination, and the bond between compatible materials.
Use one when hidden layers could change whether the scope calls for a local repair, recover, or removal. We document the opening and restore it after testing.
